AD proposed for some Continental enginesAD proposed for some Continental engines

April 23, 2020By Dan Namowitz

The FAA plans to issue an airworthiness directive requiring visual inspection of several Continental Aerospace Technologies models 520 and 550 engines to check for fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies and the modification or replacement of components found defective.

The AD proposal is based on six reports of in-flight engine failures resulting from fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies, the FAA said in a notice published April 17.Comments will be accepted on the proposed AD until June 1.

The FAA estimated the cost of the required inspection at $170, and any replacement costs in the $3,000 range. The number of affected cylinder assemblies was not known.

According to the AD, in each of the reported cases, the fractured assemblies “resulted in the loss of oil pressure, loss of engine power, and forced landings. Analysis by the manufacturer identified that the casting vendor incorporated a new production tooling that created casting material build-up on the radius edge of the cross-flow cylinder assemblies. Fracture initiation began at the radius edge of cross-flow cylinder assembly.”

Members may submit comments on the proposed AD by June 1 onlineor by mail to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.